Rod clamp



R'on CLAMP 4 Filed April 14, 1928 3 She ets-Sheet 1 /0 2 a Inventor?) 0.0: Ema Maw 6. fl Maw/271m Attorng Jan. 7, 1930. s. s. BRADSHAW ET AL 1,742,302

ROD CLAMP Filed April 14. 1928 s sheets-sneer 2 v 4 In-ventons 6- S- fi/wav aw fl/Zarf/ZM r/e I B] Am rnizv ROD CLAMP Filed April 14, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m WW a W W 6 6 M 7. 7 J7 f-l r0 1 9 6 J w 4 M 6 9 5 4 7. W 7- 2 0 z fi\ B J Ah 7. 7. 9 o

a W. 2 z My 6 9 5 a r w 6 4 72 Patented Jam 7, 1930 SAMUEL BBADSHAW AND CHARLE PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT MARTIN ALE, or SEMINOLE,

non 01.41:?

Application filed April 14,

The present invention relates to improvements in grapples and has reference more particularly to a handling device for pump. rods.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a grapple for use in removing pump rods from deep wells so as to permit said rods to be suspended from suitable rod hangers which are supported by the usual derrick of the well. An object of the present invention is to provide a pump rod handling device which will save considerable time and labor and furthermore which will atall times be positive and eflicient in proper.

1y gripping one of the sections of a str ng of rods to facilitate the lifting of the same upwardly out of the well. A further object 1s to provide a rod clamp which includes a plus rality of knurled rod engaging rollers that will positively grip. the rod should the rod tend to move vertically in a downward direcs tion thus preventing slippage of the clamp ventional pump rod,

with respect, to the rod that is being handled. A further object is to provide a rod clamp of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course ofthe following description. i

In the accompanying drawings, forming a. part of this specification, and in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the same p j i Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rod clamp embodying our invention, showing the mam ner in which the same engages; with a cont.

7 Figure 2 is a top plan view, parts being shown in section to more clearly illustrate the manner in which the vertically movable gripping rollers engage with the pump rod.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 drawn on an enlarged scale and showing the construction of the rod gripping rollers and the manner inwhich the same are associated with the upper and lower complementary sections of the respective jaws,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a locking 1923,. Serial No. 210,047.

means for the complementary jaws of the rod clamp Figure 5 is a top plan view of the bottom section of the stationary jaw,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through one en of t e o ry jaw, and

Figure 7 is a detail side elevation of one of the knurled rollers. and the tapered pins that project from the respective ends thereof.

a In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 1 designates generally our improved rod clamp the same comprising a coacting stationary and movable jaws designated by the numerals 2 3 respectively. The stationary jaw comprises the upper and lower sections 4 and 5 respectively and the inner opposed faces of these sections are cut. outv as at 6 and 7 respectively to form an enlarged socket. The stationary jaw is of such shape as to be provided with two of such sockets and these sockets are of substantial circular formation, the intermediateportion of eaohsection of the stationary jaw having its inner side out out as, atS for cooperation withthe cut out portion of the movable jaw 3 to accommodate the conventional pump rod A.

The sections i and 5 of the stationary jaw 2 are secured together by the screws 9 that extend downwardly through suitable openings provided therefor in the top section 4, the, lower section 5. being formed with threaded openings that register with the aforementioned openings to receive the threaded ends of the elongated screws. The inner jaw 2 is formed at one end with the laterally extending gears 10 which are formed at the outer faces of the top and bottom sections and each of these ears is formed with a transverse opening. These apertured ears cooperate with the apertured lugs 11 that extend outwardly from the inner opposedfaces of the complementary sections 12 and 13 of the movable jaw 3, the specific construction of which will be presently described. The lugs 11 are disposed be-. tween the apertured ears l0 and a bolt 14 extends through the registering openings in these cars and provide a hinged connection between the stationary and movable jaws at one end thereof. A rounded pin 15 projects outwardly from the free end of the bottom 7 section of the stationary jaw 2. A similar rounded pin 16 projecting outwardly from the peripheral edge of the lower section 13 of the movable jaw and the purpose of these pins will be presently described.

As heretofore mentioned, the movable jaw 3 comprises the upper and lower sections 12 and 13 and the inner opposed faces of these sections are cut out as at 17 and 18 respectively to provide a circular socket that has communication with the bore of the clamp in the same manner as the pair of sockets formed in the stationary jaw 2. Each of the sockets heretofore described is formed in its top with an enlarged tapered socket or recess 19 that tapers smaller toward the lower end thereof. A wedge-shaped recess 20 is formed in the bottom of each socket and is disposed in alignment with the top recess. Each of the lower wedge-shaped recesses extend through the bottom of the lower section of each of the jaws and a cover plate 21 is secured on the bottomface of each jaw directly over the smaller end of the respective wedge-shaped recess as clearly indicated in Figure 3. The knurled pump rod engaging roller 22 is. arranged in each of the sockets formed by the cut out portions in the inner opposed faces of the upper sections of each of the stationary and movable jaws and wedge-shaped trunnions 23 and 24 are formed on the upper and bottom faces of each knurled roller as clearly shown in Figure 7 of the drawings wherein an elevational view of one of the rollers is illus-' trated.

It will be observed that the upper trunnion 23 tapers smaller toward its lower end while the lower trunnion tapers smaller toward its lower end and these trunnions 23 and 24 are receivable in the opposed wedge-shaped recesses 19 and 20 of the respective sockets. An expansible coil spring 25 is arranged in the lower portion of each wedge-shaped recess 20 for disposition between the closure plate 21 and the lower end of the lower trunnion 24 for normally urging the pair, of rollers upwardly in their respective sockets and this arrangement is disclosed very clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings. The manner in which the upper section of the intermediate portion of the removable jaw 3, a similar bolt 28 extending through the intermediate portion of the other bracket into the upper section of the stationary jaw 2.

The lower end of each bracket is formed with an inwardly directed foot 29 that en gages with the bottom face of the respective jaws and formed on the upper end of each bracket is an eye 30, the same being disposed above the top faces of the respective jaws. A pair of suspension hooks 31 which gradually converge toward their upper ends are formed at their lower ends with inwardly directed threaded portions 32 that extend through the respective eyes formed on the upper ends of the brackets and a nut 33 is threaded on the threaded end of each hook for disposition upon the inner face of the adjacent eye and this arrangement provides a means whereby said hooks are pivotally connected to the eyes of the brackets. The upper converging ends of these hooks terminate in the link engaging hook 34 and the manner in which these elements engage with the lowermost link 35 of a suspension chain is shown very clearly in Figure 2. I A suspension chain is arranged in the upper portion of the derrick in the usual manner and by actuating this suspension chain, the rope clamp will be raised or lowered depending upon the movement of the suspension chain.

The means for locking the complementary jaws in position around the pump rod will now be specifically described. An elongated handle 36 is formed with an enlarged head 37 at its inner end and the inner face of this enlarged head is cut out as at 38 while the inner end of said head is formed with a slot that communicates with the cutout portion 38 and in reality provides a yoke on the inner end of the handle. The intermediate portion of the head 37 is formed with a slot 40 that communicates with a similar slot 41 formed in the inner end of a bar 42 that is disposed in the cutout portion 38 of the head '37 and which bar furthermore extends through the yoke 89 and the outer end of this bar is formed with a hook 43. A pin 44 extends transverse- 'Of the bar 42 lor locking said bar against displacement with respect to the head and furthermore this bar cannot swing independently of the handle and the head formed on the inner end thereof. The pin 16 that projects outwardly from the movable jaw 3 extends through the registering slots 40 and 41 and a cotter pin or the like shown at 45 extends through a transverse opening formed in the outer end of this pin for securing the handle and the hooked bar carried thereby on the pin for swinging movement.

A suitable washer is also arranged on the outer end of the pin 16 for disposition against the outer face of the head 37 as indicated in Figure 2 of the drawings. A block 46 is arranged in the cutout portion 40 of the head 37 for engagement with one side of the pin 16,

it being understood of course that this side of the block is notched to conform to the curvature of the pin. A locking wedge 47 is carried by the head 37 of the handle 36 for cooperation with the block 46 to hold the same in engagement with the pin 16. In use, the

hook 4:3 is disengaged from the pin 15 and the movable jaw 3 may swing on its pivot 14 so that the rod clamp will be in an openposition whereby to permit the same to be placed around the pump rod A at the desired point where the pump rod is to be gripped. The handle 36 is then swung downwardly after the jaw 3 has been moved inwardly toward the stationary jaw 2'so that the hook 43 will engage with thepin 15 thereby positively locking the jaws in a closed position and whereby to maintain the knurled rollers 22 in engagement with the adjacent portion of the pump rod A. Should the pump rod move vertically in a downward direction, by rea- Son of the weight of the string of rods, the knurled rollers will be brought into tight engagement with the pump rod thereby securely holding the clamped one against slipping with respect to the pump rod and when the usual elevating means is actuated, said pump rod clamp will permit the lifting of the pump rod upwardly out of the well in a positiveand efficient manner.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that we have provided an improved grapple construction for use in elevating pump rods and by reason of its simplicity, said rod clamp will save considerable,- time and labor and the person actuating the elevating means can with one hand operate the rod.

clamp in a thoroughly efficient manner.

While we have shown the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is 1. In a clamping device for pump rods, a pair of. complementary jaw members hingedly secured together at one end, means for locking the free ends. of the jaws together around a pump rod, rollers mounted in the aws for engagement 'wlth the pump rod, and

suspension means attached to the aws.

2. Ina clampingdevice for pump rods, a pair of complementary jaw membershingedly secured together at one end, means for locking the free ends of the jaws together around a pump rod, rollers mountedin the jaws for engagement with the pump rod, suspension means attached to the jaws, and coacting means between the rollers and the jaws for positively maintaining the rollers in gripping engagement with the rod.

3. In a clamping device for pump rods,

a pair of jaw members hingedly secured together at one end, means for locking the free ends of the jaws together around the pump rod, each of said jaws being formed with a socket that is open at its inner side, vertically movable rod gripping rollers arranged in the respective sockets, and suspension means attached to the jaw members.

4. In a clamping device for pump rods, a

pair of jaw members hingedly secured together at one end, means for locking the free ends of the jaws togther around the pump rod, each of said jaws being formed with a socket that is open at its inner side, vertically movable rod gripping rollers arranged in j the respective sockets, suspension means attached to the jaw members, and cooperating means between the rollers and the sockets to permit positive gripping of the rod by the rollers.

5. In a clamping device for pump rods, a pair of jaw members hingedly secured together at one end, means for locking the free ends of the jaws together around the pump rod, each of said jaws being formed with a socket that is open at its inner side, vertically movable rod gripping rollers arranged in the roller associated therewith upwardly inits socket.

6. In a device for clamping pump rods, a pair of jaw members hingedly secured together at one end, means for locking the free ends of the jaws around a pump rod, each jaw including complementary upper and lower sections, the inner opposed faces of the sections of each jaw being cut out to form a socket, the top and bottom of each socket being formed with a wedge-shaped recess, a roller arranged in 'each socket for vertical sliding movement and adapted for engagement with the pump rod, wedge-shaped pins formed on the upper and bottom faces of the rollers for disposition in the respective wedge-shaped recesses, coil springs arranged in the lower recesses for engagement with the lower wedgeshaped pins to normally urge said rollers upwardly in their respective sockets, and suspension means attached to the aws.

1 In testimony whereof we aifix our signatures.

SAMUEL S. BRADSHAW.

CHARLES ALBERT MARTINDALE. 

